Gov poll: Bauchi govt, APC candidate Saddique in messy fight over alleged plot to recruit 1,000 thugs

The Bauchi State government has accused the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Saddique Baba, of allegedly planning to recruit political thugs for the 2023 gubernatorial elections.

The government based its allegations on an online publication  (not The Nation) titled “Ex-Chief of Staff Sadique, ruling APC recruit ‘1000’ militants, political thugs’ saying it will resist any plan by the APC guber candidate to put the state into chaos.

In a statement made available to journalists in Bauchi, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the governor, Mukhtar Gidado, requested President Muhammadu Buhari to investigate Saddique over the alleged plan.

The statement party reads: “It should not be overstated that, the plan to foist an extra-constitutional and quasi-military organ on the state, for electoral advantage, can only lead to a total breakdown of law and order, with dire and unfathomable consequences for our dear country in general and Bauchi State in particular.

“However, against the backdrop of the deteriorating security situation in the country, any responsible government will be alarmed by this disclosure which, if true, portends a grave danger not only for Bauchi State but also the country at large.

“We note, with concern, that the sudden escalation in violent crimes characterised by kidnappings, banditry, and other vices in certain parts of the state, seems to fall in place with the allegations contained in the Sahara Reporters story.” Nation